Japan’s government has decided to set up a new council aimed at drastically overhauling the legal frameworks for artificial intelligence. The plan is part of the country’s 2026 basic policy guidelines, adopted at a meeting of the digital administrative and fiscal reform council held at the prime minister’s office in Tokyo.

The new body will reorganize an existing council that began under the Kishida administration. Government guidelines said the push is meant to accelerate “AI transformation,” described as a fundamental review of work using AI, especially as Japan faces population decline.

The government named several priority areas for digital reform—medical and elderly care, transportation and infrastructure, working environments, and administrative services and procedures. Officials also said it will promote digital transformation initiatives, including expanding the use of electronic medical records.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said the goal is to make maximum use of AI and digital technologies to free up time for people and businesses while supporting them from a consumer perspective